Baseball base



Jan. 6, 1953 CORBETT 2,624,580

' BASEBALL BASE Filed June 12, 1951 IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNE 74 Patented Jan. 6, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus used in the game of baseball, and more particularly to the construction of baseball bases.

An object of the present invention is to provide a baseball base characterized by improvements over that forming the subject matter of United States Letters Patent No. 2,405,492, issued to me on August 6, 1946.

A more detailed object is to provide a base suitable as a station marker in the game of baseball, and of superior construction with regard to economy, appearance, convenience, and safety as compared with bases of the same general type but of more conventional construction.

A further object in this connection is the provision of a baseball base comprising a body portion of size and shape conforming to the official rules of baseball, and of a suitable cushioned, or resilientnature, to minimize the danger of injury to players, and an outer cover which protects the body portion from injury, as from the spikes commonly worn by baseball players, which cover is removable from the body portion, thereby facilitating laundering or repair of the cover when occasion requires, and also permitting expeditious and economical replacement of the cover when damaged to such an extent that repair is impractical.

A still further object in this same connection is the provision of improved, positively operating means for-retaining the cover securely in proper position upon the body portion of the base, and yet permitting fully as easy and rapid removal of the cover, as compared with that disclosed in my abandoned application, Serial No. 414,907, filed October 14, 1941.

Another object of the present invention is to provide means permitting ready removal of the bases from the field between periods of use, and yet assuring accuracy of their location with respect to the corners of the diamond" when replaced.

A further object in this connnection is the provision of improved and simplified means for attaching the bases to their respective anchoring posts, which assist in locating the base in the proper position with a high degree of accuracy, and which are so designed that they are completely concealed inside the cover of the base where they are least liable to cause injury to a player.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of my invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the showing made by the said drawings and description, as I may adopt variations of the preferred form within the scope of my invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the top of a baseball base incorporating the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the under portion of the base of Figure 1 and also illustrating the opening of the socket in the playing field adapted for the removable reception of the post whereby the base is located accurately in proper position.

Figure 3 is a vertical medial sectional view of the base, anchoring post-and socket portion, the plane of section being indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 2 and the direction of view by the arrows. 4

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a portion .of the outer cover or envelope of the base as viewed from underneath, portions of the figure being broken away to reduce its size.

Specifically describing that embodiment of the invention which presently is preferred, there is provided a. body portion 6 which is in the nature of a, cushion inasmuch as it comprises suitable padding material 1, preferably a single piece of sponge rubber or other resiliently yieldable mate-'- rial, enclosed within a flexible case 8, preferably canvas or other fabric characterized by a high shear and tensile strength. This body portion 6 is dimensioned in conformity with the exacting requirements established by the official rules of professional baseball so that after the body portion 6 has been enclosed within the removable cover or envelope H the thus assembled base is substantially fifteen inches (15") square and approximately three inches (3") in height at the center and preferably somewhat less in height around its edges, say, for example, in the order of approximately one and one-half inches (1 thereby materially reducing the danger of a players spraining or twisting his ankle by stepping on the edge of the base while running. This relative difference in height of the base at the center as compared with its height at its edges results in the development of a crowned upper surface, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3. However, inasmuch as some leagues adhere strictly to older rules requiring a perfectly flat upper surface for the base with a uniform height 3 of three inches (3") throughout its entire area, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited, insofar as the present invention is concerned, to either the fiat or the crowned top for the base.

The envelope or cover II is so designed that it is readiiy removable from the body portion 6. This permits much easier laundering and/ or replacement and/or repair of the cover II whenever occasion demands, as compared with more conventional constructions wherein the base is permanently enclosed within its outer cover. Especial importance attaches to this feature of the invention inasmuch as the official rules strictly require that the bases shall be so white and clean that they stand out prominently in contrast to the color of the ground or other surface of the playing area. With this detail of ready removability without, however, any hazard of accidental misplacement of the cover II from the body portion 6, I have provided particularly dependable means for retaining the cover II upon the body portion 6 in spite of the fact that the cover I I comprises only a top I2 and four side walls I3 extending downwards from the edges of the top I2, 1. e., the cover I I does not include a bottom or any structure other than the fastening straps I4 extending under the body portion 6. The side walls I3 are interconnected at their ends defining the corners I6 of the cover II; and the parts are so proportioned that the substantially rectangular cover thus presented fits quite tightly upon the body portion 6. This, in itself, is a contributing factor in the security with which the cover I I remains firmly in position upon the body portion 6, in spite of the relatively hard usage to which the base is subjected during normal use. However, in addition to this factor, I have also provided two of the straps I4 engaging each of the side walls I3 as best shown in Figure 2.

Each of the straps I4 associated with each side wall I3 is stitched to the inner surface of the side wall closely adjacent the side walls extreme lower edge. The parts are so arranged that the straps I4 extend across the bottom of the body portion 6, from the side wall I3 to which they are attached and toward the opposite side wall in parallelism with the side wall I3 which interconnects those two side walls. Moreover, the opposite side wall is provided with a similarly positioned strap I4 and these two opposed straps are firmly and yet detachably interconnected as by a buckle II.

There being two such straps I4 engaging the lower edge of each side wall I3, each side wall is anchored down closely adjacent the corners I6. Inasmuch as when it is desired to remove the cover I I from the body portion 6 the operation of removal is started by lifting one corner I6 of the cover away from the body portion, therefore provision of the anchoring straps I 4 closely adjacent the corners I6 contributes materially toward the security with which the cover I I is retained in position upon the body portion 6 so long as the straps I4 are kept stretched across the bottom of the body portion by the buckle I I.

Means are provided for securely and accurately, and yet releasably anchoring the base in predetermined position with respect to the base lines defining the diamond. With this object in view, the invention contemplates the provision of a metal socket 2| to be firmly secured to the ground 22 or other surface upon which the baseball diamond is delineated. The socket 2I is thus secured within the ground 22 with its upper end 23 fiush with the surface of the ground 22, as clearly shown in under surface of the body portion 6.

Figure 2. It is of tubular construction, having a hollow interior portion or bore 24 which is of noncircular cross-section, preferably square, so that the post 26 receivable therein is resistant against rotation about its own axis, thus making provision for accurate retention of the base to which the post 25 is attached with its side walls I3 either parallel to or coincident with the lines defining the edges of the diamond, i. e., the base lines, depending upon the exact location of the socket with respect to those base lines. Preferably, flanges 21 are provided upon the outer surfaces of the socket 2| adjacent its lower end to assist in the retention of the socket firmly in its predetermined location within the ground 22.

The post 25 is complementary in the cross-sectional configuration of its outer surface and is so dimensioned that it is telescopically and removably receivable within the bore 24 of the socket 2 I. Preferably, both the socket 2I and the post 26 are formed of suitable non-rusting and non-corrosive material, cast brass or bronze being preferred. From the upper end of the post 26 four arms 28 extend in a horizontal plane, these arms being angularly spaced from each other by ninety degrees Consequently, each of the arms 28 extends from the top of the post 25 toward the midportion of one of the side walls I3 and perpendicularly with respect thereto. At the outer end of each of the arms 23, an eye 29 is formed. Each of these eyes is substantially flat and horizontally elongated in a direction perpendicular to the major axis of the arm 28 upon which that eye is formed. Preferably all of the eyes 29 and arms 28 are integral with the post 26.

The base is firmly and yet releasably secured to the post 26 by means of crossed straps 3I encircling the body portion 6 and reeved through the eyes 29. Inasmuch as the eyes 29 are formed on the upper surfaces of their respective arms 28, those portions of the straps 3I between each two opposed eyes 29 are enabled to lie flat upon the upper surface of the respectively associated two arms 28 and between those arms and the Moreover, the portions of the straps 3| which engage the sides and top of the body portion are concealed under the cover II, as illustrated in Figure 3 and as indicated in broken lines in Figures 1 and 2. Each strap 3I is preferably reeved through loops 32 stitched to the inner surface of the top I2 of the cover II adjacent the side walls I3, as best illustrated in Figure 4. The ends of each of the two straps 3| are releasably interconnected by a buckle 33; and the parts are so arranged that each of these two buckles 33 is situated under the bottom of the body portion 6 and closely adjacent the lower edge of one of the side walls I3. Moreover, the arms 28 of the anchoring post 26 are of such length that the space remaining between the outer end of each arm and the lower edge of the proximal side wall I3 is only slightly greater than the space required to accommodate one of the buckles 33. In other words, the arms 28 are attached to the under side of the body portion 6 of the base at points substantially as near the lateral edges of the base as is possible without interference with the positioning of the buckles 33 so that they. the buckles, are accessible at the bottom of the base. This, of course, makes for maximum rigidity of the cushion between the base and the anchoring post and still permits ready manipulation of the buckle without having to reach up under the depending side walls I3 of the cover in order to gain access to the buckles,

as would be the'ca'se-were the buckles situated in :such position that they are concealed between a top, side walls extending downwards from the edges thereof, said side walls being interconnected at their ends to define the corners of said cover, releasable means for securing said cover in position upon said body, and means for anchoring said base comprising a post adapted to be set in the ground in predetermined position and means for securing said base to the upper end of said post comprising an arm rigid with said post and extending radially from the upper end thereof toward each side of said base, means on the upper surface of each of said arms adjacent the outer end thereof defining an eye, and crossed straps encircling said body portion of said base and extending along the upper surfaces of said arms and through said eyes.

2. A baseball base comprising a body of cushioning material, a fabric cover fitted thereto and removably receivable thereupon and comprising a top, side walls extending downwards from the edges thereof, said side walls being interconnected at their ends to define the corners of said cover, releasable means for securing said cover in position upon said body, and means for anchoring said base comprising a tubular socket of non-circular cross section, open at the top and adapted to be fixed. permanently in the ground with its open top substantially flush with the surface, a post removably receivable within said socket and of cross section substantially complementary to that of said socket to prevent rotation of said post within said socket, and means for securing said base to the upper end of said post comprising an arm rigid with said post and extending radially from the upper end thereof toward each side of said base, means on the upper surface of each of said arms adjacent the outer ,1

end thereof defining an eye, and crossed straps encircling said body portion of said base and extending along the upper surfaces of said arms and through said eyes.

3. A baseball base comprising a body of cushnectedat their ends to define the corners of said cover, releasable means for securing said cover in position upon said body, and means for anchoring said base comprising a post adapted to be set in the ground in predetermined position and means for securing said base to the upper end of said post comprising an arm rigid with said post and extending radially from the upper end thereof toward each side of said base, means on the upper surface of each of said arms adjacent the outer end thereof defining an eye, and crossed straps encircling said body portion of said base, the portions of said straps adjacent the top and sides of said base being concealed inside said cover and the portions of said straps associated with the bottom of said base extending along the upper surfaces of said arms and through said eyes.

4. A baseball base comprising a body of cush ioning material, a fabric cover fitted thereto and removably receivable thereupon and comprising 6 a top, side walls extending downwards from the edges thereof, :said side walls being interconnected at their ends to define the corners'of said cover, releasable means for securing said cover in position upon said body, and means for anchoring said base comprising a tubular socket of non-circular cross section, open at the top and adapted to :be fixed permanently in :the ground with itsv open top substantially flush with the surface, a post removably receivable within said socket and of cross section substantially complementary to that of said-socket "to prevent rotation of said post within :said socket, and means for securing said base to the upper end of said post comprising an arm rigid with said post and extending radially from the upper end thereof toward each side of said base, means on the upper surface of each of said arms adjacent the outer end thereof defining an eye, and crossed straps encircling said body portion of said base, the portions of said straps adjacent the top and sides of said base being concealed inside said cover and the portions of said straps associated with the bottom of said base extending along the upper surfaces of said arms and through said eyes.

5. A baseball base comprising a body of cushioning material, a fabric cover fitted thereto and removably receivable thereupon and comprising a top, side walls: extending downwards from the edges thereof, said side walls being interconnected at their ends to define the corners of said cover, releasable means for securing said cover in position upon said body, and means for anchoring said base comprising a post adapted to be set in the ground in predetermined position and means for securing said base to the upper end of said post comprising an arm rigid with said post and extending radially from the upper end thereof toward each side of said base, means on the upper surface of each of said arms adjacent the outer end thereof defining an eye, crossed straps encircling said body portion of said base, the portions of said straps adjacent the top and sides of said base being concealed inside said cover and the portions of said straps associated with the bottom of said base extending along the upper surfaces of said arms and through said eyes, and a buckle interposed in each of said straps in position engaging the bottom surface of said body portion closely adjacent the lower edge of one of said side walls of said cover and each of said arms extending outwards from said post to a position closely adjacent the associated buckle.

6. A baseball base comprising a body of cushioning material, a fabric cover fitted thereto and removably receivable thereupon and comprising a top, side walls extending downwards from the edges thereof, said side walls being interconnected at their ends to define the corners of said cover, releasable means for securing said cover in position upon said body, and means for anchoring said base comprising a tubular socket of non-circular cross section, open at the top and adapted to be fixed permanently in the ground with its open top substantially flush with the surface, a post removably receivable within said socket and of cross section substantially complementary to that of said socket to prevent rotation of said post within said socket, and means for securing said base to the upper end of said post comprising an arm rigid with said post and extending radially from the upper end thereof toward each side of said base, means on the upper surface of each of said arms adjacent the outer REFERENCES CITED end thereof defimng an eye, C os Straps The following references are of record in the circling said body portion of said base, the porfile of this patent:

tions of said straps adjacent the top and sides of said base being concealed inside said cover 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS and the portions of said straps associated with Number Name Date the bottom of said base extending along the upper 1,244,044 Falconer Oct. 23, 1917 surfaces of said arms and through said eyes, and 2,046,126 Latina June 30, 1936 a buckle interposed in each of said straps in posi- 2,084,775 Orefice June 22, 1937 tion engaging the bottom surface of said body 10 2,405,492 Corbett Aug. 6, 1946 portion closely adjacent the lower edge of one 2,494,511 Josselson Jan. 10, 1950 of said side walls of said cover and each of said arms extending outwards from said post to a position closely adjacent the associated buckle.

JOHN P. CORBETT. i5 

